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South Waterfront Greenway

Portland Parks & Recreation is excited to announce the Greenway Central District fences are coming down on May 14! To celebrate the completion of the new park, a Grand Opening Celebration is planned for Saturday, June 27 – SAVE THE DATE!

Thank you all for your advice, support and encouragement as we have worked for twelve years to make this day happen.

PROJECT OVERVIEWDevelop and implement a refinement plan for the Central District section of the South Waterfront Greenway

Project BackgroundThe South Waterfront Greenway Development Plan, accepted by City Council in 2004, provided a vision and concept plan for the entire South Waterfront Greenway. The Greenway, which stretches from the Marquam Bridge south to the River Forum Building, will strive to balance the needs of the public and the health of the Willamette River.

The City of Portland's South Waterfront Plan envisioned a system of parks working together to enliven the neighborhood, stimulate development activity in the area, and to provide for the recreational needs of area residents. These projects are important because they set the tone for the quality of open space in the district. For many years now, PP&R has been looking at how to implement the design that the City and the community developed for the Central District portion of the Greenway.

Environmental Requirements: At the direction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the State of Oregon Division of State Lands (DSL) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), the design for the riverbank restoration includes habitat in the form of a shallow water bench that will provide shelter for juvenile fish and adjacent riparian plantings. Working jointly with the Corps of Engineers, Oregon DSL, NMFS, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and the City’s Bureau of Environmental Services, a hybrid concept was developed in summer 2010 that met public and agency needs.

Permitting: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued their Joint Permit for the construction in June 2012, after 20 months of review. This permit incorporated the approvals of all of the other State and Federal agencies. Local permits were also received in June 2012, allowing the project move into construction after nearly 10 years of planning and design.

December 24, 2014

ConstructionWe are pleased to announce that the contractor has finished work, except for final adjustments and cleaning. Although their construction trailers will be removed next week, you can expect to see them working from time to time, here and there on the site, through January. Also, the artist is not finished with “Cradle to Cradle,” the art piece near the Curry Overlook, so you can expect to see some intermittent activity there as well.

FencesThe perimeter fences will need to remain up through spring 2015, to allow the lawns to establish. When will that be? It all depends upon the growing conditions for the lawns, meaning the weather. If we have a mild winter, then the lawns will grow in quickly and the fences could come down earlier, which could be as early as April. If we have a cold or really wet winter or some other strange weather, then it might take the lawns longer to grow in, which could be the end of May or early June.

Water Access RampPP&R has provided a fenced walkway allowing access to the ramp leading from an opening at Curry down to the river’s edge. This walkway will be open by mid-day on December 24. Please note that while you will be able to use it, the ramp was not designed as a recreation feature; rather its primary purpose is as access for workers to maintain the habitat along the river. It is steep and has a guardrail for only part of its length. While inundated at present, the bottom of the ramp terminates in steep, rocky terrain that was built primarily as fish habitat. If you choose to use this ramp, please exercise due care.

Grand Opening CelebrationA celebration of this new park is planned for spring 2015, once the site is fully open! We will let you know the details when they are finalized. Portland Parks & Recreation thanks you for your support of this project and your patience during the three years the site has been under construction.

Questions?Now that construction has concluded, the Greenway - Central District is under the management of PP&R’s West Service Zone staff, so if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call:

ConstructionWe are getting close! The paving is complete and the lawns are seeded. The landscaping subcontractor, Green Art, is installing the plantings and mulch while the electrical subcontractor, Affordable Electric, is finishing up the wiring and lighting. Benches of various kinds are being installed, while the remaining metal work – guardrails, handrails and safety railings - are being delivered to the site and installed as fabrication is completed.

Public ArtHave you noticed that interesting assembly of 3 trees laid on their sides upon concrete pods near the Curry Street overlook? Still incomplete, this is the park’s public art piece provided by the 2% for Art Program administered by the Regional Art and Culture Council. It is called “Cradle to Cradle”, by artist Buster Simpson, who comments that it is a “…sculptural monument to and for the Willamette River…One-and-a-half ton anthropomorphic concrete anchors hug uprooted trees to secure their position in the floodplain landscape and provide biomass for habitat enhancement. The intent of the work is to acknowledge the dynamic forces of the river, climate and human interaction and express the intervention of the reconstructed shoreline.” For more information about Buster and his work, visit: http://www.bustersimpson.net/

SchedulePP&R expects to complete construction during November, with final adjustments continuing through the end of the year. The site will be completely fenced to allow the lawns to establish through spring 2015. During that time, PP&R will provide a (fenced) walkway allowing access to the ramp leading down to the river at SW Whitaker. We expect the lawns to be sturdy enough to withstand public use in the spring 2015.

Public Meeting and Grand OpeningProject staff will hold an informational meeting on Tuesday, November 18 at 6:00 p.m. at Umpqua Bank, 3606 SW Bond (thank you again, Umpqua!) to answer any remaining questions about construction andintroduce thePP&R staff who will maintain and manage the park after the contractor departs. All are welcome.

A Grand Opening Celebration is being planned for the spring of 2015, once the site is fully open. The date is still to be determined, but please watch this space for details as they are finalized.

Work Hours Monday-Friday, 7am-5pm with possible work on Saturdays.

October 7, 2014

Construction The site is abuzz with activity: welders attaching the metal elements to the river overlooks; concrete crews pouring the pavements that lead down to the overlooks; electricians pulling wire for the lighting; and the landscaping subcontractor, Green Art, installing irrigation and soil. Planting work is scheduled to begin in the next couple of weeks, and the light poles will begin to be installed as well. Also, watch for the heavy timber that will form the decking and benches on the upper Viewing Terraces.

As a reminder, Phase 2 construction work includes: grading the site; building a new retaining wall west of the Swale; building the river overlooks; paving the dual system paths and small plazas; installing irrigation and planting; and installing the public art.

Schedule PP&R expects to complete construction in November 2014. The lawn will be seeded during the fall and will be left to grow and get established through Spring 2015. As the lawn is establishing, PP&R will be able to provide access to the ramp leading down to the river at SW Whitaker. We expect the lawns to be sturdy enough to withstand public use in spring 2015.

Work Hours Monday-Friday, 7am-5pm with possible work on Saturdays.

September 10, 2014

Construction The irrigation system is nearing completion, and the electricians will soon begin installing wiring and lighting. Much of the upper terrace paving is ready, and the lower layer of the asphalt bike path is in place. At the north end of the site, the first of the Lawn Shelves are going in. The contractor will soon begin placing topsoil for the lawn and plant beds, and is beginning work on the river overlooks. Planting work is also scheduled to begin in the next few weeks.

As a reminder, Phase 2 construction work includes: grading the site; building a new retaining wall west of the Swale; building the river overlooks; paving the dual system paths and small plazas; installing irrigation and planting; and installing the public art.

Schedule PP&R expects to complete construction in November 2014. The lawn will be seeded during the fall and will be left to grow and get established through Spring 2015. As the lawn is establishing, PP&R will be able to provide access to the ramp leading down to the river at SW Whitaker. We expect the lawns to be sturdy enough to withstand public use in the Spring 2015.

Work HoursMonday-Friday, 7am-5pm with possible work on Saturdays.

August 4, 2014

ConstructionMajor earthwork, forming, and concrete pouring continue on the viewing terraces and pathways, the lawn shelves and stairs, and the electrical system. This week digging and installation will begin on the irrigation system. In order to evenly join the new terraces with the existing walkway, some areas of the existing paver pathways will be removed and reset. While we expect to be able to keep the pathways open while that work happens, there may be some short term closures. As a reminder, Phase 2 construction work includes: grading the site; building a new retaining wall west of the Swale; building the overlooks; paving the dual system paths and small plazas; installing irrigation and planting; and installing the public art.

SchedulePP&R expects to complete construction in November 2014. The lawn will be seeded during the fall and will be left to grow and get established through spring 2015. As the lawn is establishing, PP&R will be able to provide access to the ramp leading down to the river at SW Whitaker. We expect the lawns to be sturdy enough to withstand public use in spring 2015.

Work HoursMonday-Friday, 7am-5pm

Concrete PouringSome neighbors notified us that work was beginning before 7am. After discussing this with our contractor, we were informed that the high summer temperature was causing the concrete to set up too quickly and not giving the crews enough time to do the surface finish work. Pouring concrete earlier in the morning produces a higher quality surface. Below is a recent photo of a concrete pour for the stairs at SW Gibbs Street. This shot was taken on a hot day and the crews were working at maximum speed to get the wet concrete in place and the surfaces finished before the temperatures prevented it. All hands on deck!

June 27, 2014

ConstructionMajor work continues on the pedestrian walkway at the eastern edge of the upland, between SW Gibbs and SW Gaines, and on the wire and rock retaining wall at the south end of the site, just west of the Swale. Beginning soon will be preparations for the Lawn Shelves (see image below) in the lawn area north of Curry, and laying out the bases for light poles.

JW Fowler will also begin working on the Viewing Terraces and Pathways adjacent to the bases of the Meriwether and the Atwater. Some rebuilding of the existing paver pathways is needed in order to evenly match the new improvements, and this may require closing the existing walkway for short periods of time. We will minimize the amount of time this will take and work with the South Waterfront Community Association to provide as much advance notice as possible of when the work will happen.

Phase 2 of the construction work includes grading the site; building a new retaining wall west of the Swale; building the overlooks; paving the dual system paths and small plazas; and installing irrigation and planting. At the end of construction, the park will include pathways, river overlooks, small plazas, seating, lighting, trees, plantings, lawn,and public art.

ScheduleWe expect to complete major construction in November 2014. The lawn grasses will be seeded during the fall and will be left to grow and get established through Spring 2015. Construction fences will be removed once the lawns are sturdy enough to withstand public use. In the interim, however, PPR will provide access to the ramp leading down to the river, at SW Whitaker.

Work HoursIn general, Monday-Friday, 7am-5pm, but a few Saturday work days are planned during June and July.

May 23, 2014

ConstructionWork is well underway on Phase 2 of the Greenway Central District Project, the upland park. This phase of the construction work includes grading the site; building a new retaining wall west of the Swale; building the five overlooks; paving the dual system paths and small plazas; and installing irrigation and planting. Work is currently underway in two important areas. First, the contractor is installing the pedestrian walkway at the eastern edge of the upland, between SW Gibbs and SW Gaines. The second focus is on the last of the wire and rock retaining walls located at the south end of the site, just west of the Swale. This wall will support the dual pathways. We would like to thank OHSU for again letting us use their property to stage this project. This is an invaluable contribution to this work.

We expect to complete major construction in November 2014. The grass lawn will be seeded during the fall and will be left to grow and get established through spring 2015. Construction fences will be removed once the lawns are sturdy enough to withstand public use. After construction is complete and while the lawn is being established, PP&R will provide access to the ramp down to the river at SW Whitaker. Photo: looking south, pedestrian path

Work HoursIn general, Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM-5:00 PM, but a few Saturday work days are planned during June and July.

March 3, 2014

Public MeetingThanks to everyone who attended the community meeting held at Umpqua Bank on January 15. At this meeting we shared with close to 100 neighbors the likelihood of continuing construction. Additionally, we were able to share information on the impacts of the continued work and the benefits (financially and logistically) of continuing through without having to demobilize the construction site.

ConstructionWe are very pleased that we have been able to work out an agreement with J.W. Fowler Company, our contractors on Phase 1, to complete Phase 2. Their experience and knowledge of the site will help ensure a more seamless transition. Site preparation will begin the week of March 10.

Phase 2 of the construction work will include grading the site, building a new retaining wall west of the swale, building the overlooks, paving the dual system paths and small plazas, and installing irrigation and planting. At the end of construction, the park will include pathways, river overlooks, small plazas, seating, lighting, trees, plantings, lawn, and public art.

We expect to complete major construction in November 2014. The lawn grasses will be seeded during the fall and will be left to grow and get established through spring 2015. Construction fences will be removed once the lawns are sturdy enough to withstand public use. We will, however, provide access to the ramp down to the river at SW Whitaker.

FencingThe fencing on site will be more extensive than during Phase 1. In late March, fencing will go up around the entire site between the north property line at Zidell Marine and south to the SW Lane Street right-of-way. The thin lawn area, previously accessible at the base of the Atwater, will be part of the construction area to be improved. Additionally, the area riverward of Block 37 will be fenced. We encourage residents to respect the need to keep the public out of the construction area.

Tree RemovalAt the time the swale was installed, it was planted with trees. In order to install the path system in this area, some of those trees nearest to Block 37 will be removed. All of the trees removed will be replaced within the Central District.

February 5, 2014

On Wednesday, February 5, Portland City Council unanimously passed a measure to fund Phase 2 of Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R)’s South Waterfront Greenway project. The vote steers $4.7 million in System Development Charges (SDCs) revenue from construction development in the city to the South Waterfront Greenway Central District for construction of a park, which will contain river overlooks, bike and pedestrian pathways, lighting and seating, trees, lawns, and plantings.

“The South Waterfront Greenway is a significant investment for the City of Portland,” says Portland Parks Commissioner Amanda Fritz. “Not only is it a way to connect to nature in the heart of our city, it is a vital link for commuters, an improvement for our quality of life, and a promise kept to the people of Portland living in what will be the state’s most densely populated neighborhood.”

The South Waterfront Greenway is a 1.2-mile long strip of parks and riverbank restoration that, when completed, will make an important bike and pedestrian connection between Downtown Portland and the Sellwood Bridge. Design and permitting work began 12 years ago, and construction of the Central District segment, which runs between SW Gibbs and SW Lane streets, has been underway since 2012.

“It is no easy feat to fit fish habitat creation, riverbank reconstruction, and an urban park into a 100-foot-wide strip of land,” notes PP&R Director Mike Abbaté. “But this project accomplishes this and more. This commitment by City Council is welcomed by PP&R and neighbors. The South Waterfront Greenway will become another landmark recreation facility for all Portlanders.”

FinancialsThe total cost of the Greenway’s Phase 2 is estimated at $4.7 million. The contractor, JW Fowler Company, expects to begin preliminary tasks immediately, with heavy construction getting underway in early April. Work is expected to be complete by November 2014.

Phase 1 of the project, in partnership with TriMet, restored the riverbank to a more natural vegetation condition and installed a shallow water refuge important for juvenile salmon. TriMet joined the project because the shallow water habitat mitigates for construction impacts to the river associated with their new Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Bridge.

Because the entire site is composed of landfill from former industrial activities, the Phase 1 earthwork and construction was conducted under the close observation of and collaboration with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Oregon Division of State Lands, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the National Marine Fisheries Services. The total cost of Phase 1 is estimated at $10,798,100.

The project is funded by a variety of sources: $9.26 million of Parks System Development Charges, $4 million of Tax Increment Funding from the North Macadam Urban Renewal Area, $1.42 million from TriMet, $750,000 in Environmental Remediation funding from the City’s Bureau of Environmental Services, and $68,000 in miscellaneous PPR funding.

November 11, 2013

ConstructionPhase 1 heavy construction is nearly complete. All that remains is installation of the safety railings at the top of the retaining walls, some planting and site clean-up, and installation of the final site fencing.

Work Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM-7:00 PM

Fencing: As we have been emphasizing in our updates for the past year, the fencing will need to stay up until the lawns have grown in enough to withstand typical park foot traffic and maintenance activities. This is expected to be late next spring (approximately June 2014) based on normal growing conditions. In the meantime, we received a request from the Nature and Greenspaces Committee to try to find a way to configure the fencing so that folks could get to the river access ramp. We are glad to say that a route through is available. Click on image below for larger view.

October 7, 2013

ConstructionPhase 1 work is going well and the construction is still on schedule. JW Fowler has finished the shallow water habitat and is working on the river access ramp, the last gabion wall, and site clean-up. Crews also continue to work on the irrigation system, after which planting can begin. We still expect to conclude heavy construction in December. Photos: left, the end of the river access ramp in lower water conditions; right, the ramp when the water is higher

September 23, 2013

ConstructionPhase 1 work is going well and the construction is currently on schedule. JW Fowler is nearly finished with the shallow water habitat; they should finish it this week then move to the southern rip rap bank. Crews also continue to work on the irrigation system, after which planting can begin. We still expect to conclude heavy construction in December. Photo: looking north; upper left: Curry St sheetpile wall, center: vault wall with willows, right: shallow water habitat and yellow sediment curtains

September 3, 2013

ConstructionPhase 1 work is going well and the construction is currently on schedule. We still expect to conclude heavy construction in December. During low water, JW Fowler continues to work on the shallow water habitat, which they are sequencing to occur during low tides. At higher elevations, soil and irrigation are being placed to be ready for planting the riparian habitat later this fall. Photo: looking south, Curry St sheetpile wall

FundingFunding to complete Phase 1 was approved by City Council the last week of June 2013. At the end of construction this season, we anticipate the completion of all the bank stabilization work (three types of walls - gabion, sheet pile, and vault), removal of contaminated soils, the construction of a shallow water habitat for fish, a path providing water access, native plantings, and a restored upland area with benches, a pathway, and grass.

PhasingThe Greenway Project phasing was introduced to the South Waterfront Community on March 21, 2012 at a Nature and Green Spaces Committee meeting. Phase 1 is the Riverbank Restoration which includes removal of contaminated soil, installation of retaining walls, riparian habitat, and the osprey pole, plus repair of areas of the site that were damaged during construction. Phase 2 includes the Upland Park, with pedestrian and bicycle paths, seating, lighting, lawns, and the public art piece. Portland Parks & Recreation remains committed to completion of this project. No features of the project are expected to be changed or eliminated as a result of the phasing.

Contact UsWe know that construction is inconvenient, messy, and sometimes dangerous. By providing accurate and timely information, we will do our best to let you know what to expect.